No Newly Registered Voters Allowed In 2nd Cherokee Chief Election

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma -- Only voters who were registered by the last business day in March are eligible to vote in the second election for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, according to an opinion released Friday by Cherokee Nation Attorney General Diane Hammons.

"The law does not provide an option to reopen voter registration for the rescheduled 2011 election for the office of the Principal Chief," Hammons said in a news release.

Voters that were eligible in the general and runoff election are eligible to vote in the Principal Chief's election.

Hammons also said the donors who gave $5,000 in the previous campaign cannot donate more to the candidates.

Anyone who is unsure of whether they are eligible to vote can call the Cherokee Nation Election Commission at 918-458-5899.